Looking for opinions/experiences on the Abel 3 antireverse. I have a family member who has been spending the winter months steelheading in NY. His current reel keeps freezing up on him and getting the drag blown out. Not sure I am suppose to say the name of the reel mfr but lets just say it is suppose to be one of the higher quality brands. Anyways after the third return, he is now just looking at the Abel 3 antireverse as an all purpose big salmon and steelhead/ Salt water reel. But at the price, there is some (okay a lot of) hestitation. Anyone out there have any experiences or knowledge on this reel that they can share? Thanks in advance.

The price of the Abel is stunning. What about the Orvis Battenkill Mid-arbor ($120-130), Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor ($240), Elkhorn's MA-3 ($240), the Ross Momentum ($445), or the Billy Pate Salmon AR ($490)? I have used the Orvis Mid-Arbor for 3 years of Steelhead fishing and have never had a problem. I own 2 of the Elkhorn T series and they are excellent, so I would not hesitate to recommend the MA series. The Ross and the Pate come highly recommended from my local fly shop. Your friend could buy 5 of the Orvis and just toss them if they burn up. Hope this helps.

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To Miss Nancy - she hated fishing, but loved a fisherman.

I like Abel Reels. I like selling them too. I have three Super Series and I have fished in very cold wet weather with two of them. For instance I have fished in Yellowstone with temperatures as low as 8 degrees but most often in the teens or 20's in late October. I have fished for steelhead in the teens and low 20's. I have had them malfunction a few times in cold wet conditions. They don't freeze up, they free spool usually after a dunking. I guess water gets on the cork and freezes so there is no drag contact. After a little warmup under my jacket they were fine. You might consider a closed drag system. The Ross Momentum comes to mind right now. We sell other reels with a completely sealed drag.